Eastern Madeira tour with Santana, Pico do Arieiro and lunch

Eastern Madeira tour with Santana, Pico do Arieiro and lunch

4.6/5

Excellent
279 reviews
from
$111.00
Free cancellation
Language: German
Mobile voucher accepted
Duration: from 4 hours to 8 hours

Based on our commitment to sustainable tourism, all National Geographic Day Tours meet the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria, and a portion of the proceeds from these tours goes back to the National Geographic Society to fund research and sustainable programs around the world.

Why you’ll love this…
  • On this eastern Madeira adventure, you'll visit historic Machico and the fairtyale houses of Santana
  • You'll see rock formations tumbling into the Atlantic at the Ponta do Rosto and Portela lookouts
  • Lunch is served in Santana before you explore Ribeiro Frio Natural Park's epic slab of wilderness
  • With the right weather, you'll be looking down on the clouds from lofty Pico do Arieiro at 1,800m
  • Your local guide is an expert on the wild landscapes of eastern Madeira
What to expect

From rugged coastline to fairytale houses, this full day excursion of eastern Madeira is a showcase of everything that makes the island so special. You'll discover the historic towns of Machico and Santana as well as the natural gems of Ponta da Rosto and Pico do Areiro. There's also a walk up to the Pico Alto view point and traditional lunch to look forward to. Gonçalo, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Machico is the spot where the first Portuguese explorers landed six centuries ago – it was Madeira's first capital from 1440 to 1496. It's the gateway to Ponta de São Lourenço, a rocky peninsula at the easternmost point of Madeira.'

From here, we'll make our way to the lookout points of Ponta do Rosto and Portela. It's then time for an authentic, freshly prepared lunch in a local family-run restaurant in Santana – a town famed for its triangular homes, which look like gingerbread houses. Gonçalo says, ‘These homes are unique to Santana. They're made of stone with thatched roofs – which are replaced every three years – that reach almost to the ground. Mostly built in the 16th century, attics were used to store seeds.'

The great outdoors takes centre stage in the afternoon, with a trip to Ribeiro Frio Natural Park where you can expect great mountain views. Continuing up above the clouds you'll head to Pico do Arieiro – Madeira's second-highest peak at more than 1,800 metres – for some epic views over the jagged landscape. Finish off the day with a short walk up to the view point at Pico Alto where you can see out across Funchal Bay.

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What's included
  • check Transport
  • check Guide
  • check Lunch
What to remember
  • Guests with walking difficulties will not be able to reach the viewpoint of Pico Alto
  • Maximum number of guests per guide is 18
  • Bring suitable footwear
  • Bring warm clothes
  • Some entrance fees and optional extras are payable locally
  • Subject to weather conditions
  • This experience doesn't follow our general cancellation policy. If you need to cancel, you must do so at least 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
Read more
Provider
TUI PORTUGAL
Booking fee
Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.
Cancellation policy
Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 1 day before the experience begins.

What people say about this experience

Excellent

4.6 /5

Based on 279 reviews from verified customers


73%
25%
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  • N

    Ninni

    Verified booking

    4.6

    December 10, 2025

    Traveled with family


    Es war eine rundum sehr schöne und Sehenswerte Tour. Die Zusammenstellung der Tour fand ich persönlich sehr abwechslungsreich. Erst der Ausblick vom Berggipfel, danach die kleine Levada Wanderung um dann vor dem Mittagessen noch dietraditionellen Häuschen anzuschauen. Nach dem leckeren Mittagessen, gab es beim nächsten Stop einen Poncha, gefolgt von einem atemberaubenden Ausblick auf den sehr vulkanisch geprägteb östlichen Ausläufer und einem kleinen Stop in Machico. Rundum einfach schön

  • E

    Erika & Michael

    Verified booking

    5

    December 7, 2025

    Traveled as a couple


    Nach der West-Tour diesmal die Ost-Tour mit Linda. Großartige, sehr informative Führung mit Erläuterungen zu Kultur, Geschichte, Ökonomie an Lokationen, die wir als sehenswert empfunden haben. Dazu ein Mittagessen inklusive. Gut war bei beiden Touren: kleine Gruppe. Dank an Signora Linda für die charmante Führung.

  • R

    Regina

    Verified booking

    4.6

    December 2, 2025

    Solo traveler


    Es ist sehr interessant, abwechslungsreich und die Reiseleiterin war sehr gut. Die Levadawanderung war kein besonderes Highlight.

  • M

    Mikel

    Verified booking

    5

    December 2, 2025

    Traveled as a couple


    Tolle Tour, viel Informationen über Madeira. Sehr schöne Orte und tolles Essen. Sehr empfehlenswert.

  • E

    Ecki

    Verified booking

    5

    December 1, 2025

    Traveled as a couple


    Tolle Tour mit einer idealen Reiseleiterin. Sehr gutes landestypisches Restaurant. Preis-Leistungsverhältnis für diesen Ausflug war perfekt.

  • R

    Ronny

    Verified booking

    5

    November 26, 2025

    Traveled as a couple


    Gute Organisation, kleine Gruppe...So kam man mit den Teilnehmern gut ins Gespräch. Zum Kennenlernen der Insel sehr geeignet.

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free cancellation
Available in:

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